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NOJHL, CMHAs Lead by Example; Other Leagues Follow Suit to Provide Mental Health Support to Jr. A Players

November 19, 2019

NEWS RELEASE

(Nov. 19, 2019) – The positive impact of a mental health and sports program delivered by local branches of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in partnership with the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) has caught the attention of other Jr. A leagues in Canada.

After a successful four-year run in the NOJHL, three other leagues within the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) have committed to participate this season in Talk Today, a multi-faceted CMHA program that promotes positive mental health while supporting individuals who may find themselves in crisis.

With generous support from the NHL Foundation, nearly 1,000 players on almost 50 teams across the Central Canada Hockey League, Manitoba Junior Hockey League, Maritime Junior Hockey League and NOJHL will benefit from Talk Today in 2019-20.

The CJHL and CMHAs will aim to support the remaining leagues in the Canadian Junior Hockey League with Talk Today over the next two years.

Talk Today in the NOJHL began in 2015 and since then nearly 700 players, team staff, billets and family members have received mental health and suicide prevention training.

Once again this season, CMHAs in Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury/Manitoulin, Cochrane-Timaskaming and Muskoka-Parry Sound will support another 280 players across the NOJHL’s 12 teams.

Talk Today has four key elements:

Mandatory evidence-based mental health and suicide awareness workshops for athletes that enable them to not only recognize when a teammate, classmate, friend or family member may be struggling, but gives them tools to speak openly about suicide and assist in getting individuals support.

A designated CMHA Mental Health Coach is connected to each NOJHL team so that they can help in case someone with the club is struggling or seeking mental health information or services.

NOJHL clubs will host Talk Today game days with related social media activities to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with mental health and addictions issues.

A club Mental Health Champion who works with CMHA personnel to help implement the training and awareness activities.

“As early adopters of the program, we’ve experienced firsthand how Talk Today can help reduce stigma and normalize conversations about mental health around the rink and in the community,” said NOJHL Commissioner Rob Mazzuca. “Mental health should no longer be a taboo subject in sports and the expansion of Talk Today across the CJHL will help raise awareness and provide resources to players who need it.”

“Since 2015, the NOJHL has demonstrated incredible leadership by bringing mental health and suicide prevention training directly to its players, team staff and families,” said CMHA Sault Ste. Marie Executive Director Annette Katajamaki. “It has been a pleasure to support the league to ensure mental health can be talked about openly in the hockey community.”

“Talk Today has created mental health conversations and reduced stigma in dressing rooms, hockey rinks and communities across Canada,” said CMHA Cochrane-Timiskaming Executive Director Paul Jalbert. “Thanks to the NOJHL and the NHL Foundation, we’re pleased to bring Talk Today to hundredsmore players, team staff, families and fans, which we believe will create positive change and save lives.”

“We’ve seen the impact of Talk Today and how it can help reduce stigma and normalize conversations about mental health around the rink and in the community,” said CMHA Sudbury/Manitoulin CEO Patty MacDonald. “Mental health should no longer be a taboo subject in sports and the expansion of Talk Today across the MHL will help raise awareness and provide resources to players who need it.”

“Working with the NOJHL allows us to share with these players and teams the benefits of maintaining positive mental health,” said CMHA Muskoka-Parry Sound Executive Director Diane Brown-Demarco. “And together with all our partners, Talk Today can help create environments where people aren’t afraid to speak up and ask for help should they be struggling.”

“The NHL Foundation recognizes the positive impact and long-term value Talk Today has provided the hockey community through other development leagues and we’re pleased to have a role in bringing this important initiative to teams in the CJHL,” said John Sanful, Manager of the NHL Foundation. “We strive to create positive change by investing in initiatives that build healthy and vibrant communities through hockey, and we’re pleased to support a program that provides valuable life skills for players which they can use beyond their playing careers.”

Fast facts:

Talk Today was launched in 2014 and the initiative has since expanded into junior hockey leagues, high schools, colleges, universities and minor sports organizations across the country.

Since 2014, more than 4,000 Talk Todayparticipants have been trained in safeTALK, a globally recognized suicide-prevention workshop.

#TalkTodayon social media has earned more than 62 million impressions since 2014.